Nov 14, 2018

National Watermelon Promotion Board members named

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Nov. 14 announced the appointment of 16 members to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms from Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2021.

Members appointed are:

Mr. Dalton Willis Borders, Edinburg, Texas

Mr. Cody Buckley, San Antonio, Texas

Mr. Jordan Carter, Cordele, Ga.

Mr. Richard Chastain, Alva, Fla.

Mr. John Gee, Temecula, Calif.

Mr. Jose F. Gomez Ph.D., El Paso, Texas

Mr. W. Rodney Jackson, Autryville, N.C.

Mr. Michael J. Marks, Capron, Va.

Mr. Rod Rosales, Kingsburg, Calif.

Mr. James Sharp, Sims, N.C.

Mr. Matt Solana, Louisburg, N.C.

Mr. Carlos Vickers, Nashville, Ga.

Mr. Darren K. Wiggins, Center, Texas

Members re-appointed include:

Mr. Luke B. Brown, Center, Texas

Mr. Rob Greene, Arabi, Ga.

Mr. Jesse James Wiggins, Center, Texas

“The 1,500 growers, shippers and importers of watermelon in the United States will be well served by these board members who will provide key direction to help the watermelon industry meet consumer demand,” Perdue said.

The 41-member Board is composed of 14 producers, 14 handlers, 12 importers and one public member. One-third of the Board members are appointed each year.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized 22 industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.